incent Cruywagen The city of Cape Town has plans in place to make sure that the Athlone Stadium revamp for the 2010 World Cup does not turn into a white elephant. The city’s councillor Grant Pascoe, also the mayoral committee member for tourism, events and marketing, confirmed plans are in place aimed at generating stadium income. This stadium has a rich history dating back to the days of apartheid when teams like Cape Town Spurs and Glendene kept fans glued to their seats. And during the festive season people in their thousands flock to watch the traditional annual Kaapse Klopse showpiece. Residents around the historic stadium have come out in support of initiatives by the city and appealed that they not be left in the dark like in the case of the 2010 World Cup when houses at the back of the stadium had to be demolished for the massive parking space. The stadium was revamped for the purpose of international teams’ preparation for World Cup and friendly games. Pascoe said: “Some of the plans to generate a sustainable income include office accommodation, outdoor advertising, job creation initiatives such as kiosks and flea-market, farmers’ market, craft market and driving school in the parking areas. “Presently the department of sport, recreation and amenities and the electricity services department are using office space at Athlone Stadium. “Additional office space will become available when the south and north have been completed subject to availability of funds. Once completed, other departments can be accommodated.” In addition, two non-profit organisations, Safa Cape Town and the Cape Music Institute, are also utilising office space. Regarding outdoor advertising, a draft master outdoor advertising plan is being finalised by the city and, once approved, outdoor advertising can generate income that will contribute to the maintenance of the facility. “The parking area opposite the south stand (near Klipfontein Road) will be fenced during this financial year and the enclosed area will be earmarked for job creation initiatives via the city’s tender process to appoint service providers to manage the initiatives,” Pascoe said. Llewellyn Wilters, one of the six families who have been occupying the change rooms of the old astra-turf metres behind the stadium for more than 10 years and who have won a court battle against the city to have their eviction order set aside in 2010, welcomes plans of the city to maintain the stadium. “Whatever is planned for the stadium will ultimately have a direct bearing on our continued occupation of the change rooms.” [email protected]
Posted on: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 11:07:09 +0000
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